Big Island, Hawaii – H.E. President Hilda C. Heine and First Gentleman Thomas Kijiner, Jr., visited Pahala Elementary and High School on Saturday, October 26, 2024, in Pahala, Big Island. President Heine, First Gentleman Kijiner and delegation were welcomed by the students at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
The visit follows a courtesy meeting in May 2024, when a delegation from Kaʻu High and Pahala Elementary Schools (KHPES) traveled to Majuro to discuss potential collaborations to connect the communities of Kaʻu, Hawaiʻi, and the Marshall Islands such as the establishment of a student and teacher exchange learning program. President Heine expressed her appreciation for the support that the Pahala school community has extended to Marshallese students, which make up 20% of the Pahala school community, and explored additional ways to enhance educational resources and support systems.
Following the school visit, President Heine and First Gentleman Kijiner met with community members in Ocean View, Big Island, where President Heine shared updates on the ongoing initiatives of her administration and key achievements, including the increase in the minimum wage, recent tax reforms, the ‘Enra Bwe Jen Lale Rara’ initiative, and the Nuclear Extraordinary Needs Distribution funding, all of which are aimed at improving the quality of live for Marshallese citizens. President Heine also spoke about the increase of funding to the RMI scholarship and encouraged students to always strive for excellence, reminding them of the importance of staying connected to their Marshallese culture and heritage.
